Pop culture, sports, & books meet their destiny (i.e. my opinion)
First of all, thank you to everyone who followed me on my mini-blog tour and entered the contest! I had a lot of fun.
Now, on to the winners! Congrats to Elizabeth for winning the Kindle and Roselle for winning the 3 August Entangled: Lovestruck titles! They have been notified!
Until next time...
xoxo,
Jamie
On Monday, August 11, 2014, my long-held dream came true. I became a published author. Today, it’s August 22, so I’ve been published for 11 days. What’s it been like?
Amazing. Surreal. Nerve-wracking. Fantastic.
Yep, that about sums it up.
I barely got any sleep Sunday night. I’m pretty sure I woke up every 30 minutes. And then it was Monday morning, and my book was live!
I announced it on Twitter, and the response was more than I could have ever dreamed. Friends were congratulating me and retweeting my announcements and liking and sharing my Facebook posts. To that I say THANK YOU x million times! I started to list names, then I stopped because I know I will miss somebody. Please know that I saw all the support and I was and still am humbled and grateful.
I built up the courage to announce my accomplishment to friends and family who had no clue what I’d been up to for the past five years. That was a big moment for me. I don’t like talking about myself, and I was never sure how to insert the “Hey, I wrote a book and it’s going to be published” thing into conversation. I’ve had the “Why didn’t you tell me?” conversation more than once. I’ve had to assure people it wasn’t personal at all. It was all me and my natural shyness and awkwardness. It’s much easier for me to talk about writing with other writers who are going through the same things I’m going through.
And despite my reticence to talk about myself, the support from family and friends has been amazing. Lots of questions on how you get a book published have been asked and congratulations have been offered. Some even bought the book. Yay!
I didn’t tell any of my coworkers, but I knew as soon as I announced it, they would have something to say. And I was right! I took Monday and Tuesday off from work so I could concentrate on the book launch and when I walked into work Wednesday, this was waiting for me. Isn’t that so cool? And there were donuts because I LOVE donuts.
I started using Amazon in the late 90s when I was a college student. In the fifteen years since, I’ve NEVER been on Amazon as much combined as I have been in the past 11 days. Refresh, refresh, refresh! Refresh one more time to see what my ranking is. I wake up in the middle of the night to check. It’s a sickness. I’ve gotten a little better, but not much. I’ve been very fortunate. My ranking for TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD surpassed my modest goal on release day, so everything after that has been gravy (except I don’t like gravy, but you know what I mean).
Promo. Aww, promo. It’s hard to know if you’re doing too much or too little. I ran some ads. I participated in two Facebook parties. Never done that before, but they were both a lot of fun, and I look forward to doing more in the future. I hope I didn’t annoy my Twitter peeps with my announcements. I tried not to, but ya know, it is what it is. I want to say a public thank you to Roni Loren, Kat Latham, Terri Osburn, Christina Jones, Lorenda Christensen, my fellow Firebirds, the Just Contemporary blog, and the Ramblings from This Chick blog for hosting me on their sites.
And also many, many thanks to my release day partner Marissa Clarke and my editor Gwen Hayes for holding my hand and giving pep talks as needed. No matter what’s going on or how good you’re doing, it’s hard not to compare yourself to others, and I have to constantly remind myself that I’ve been in the game for less than two weeks. It is a marathon, not a sprint.
To everyone behind the scenes at my publisher, Entangled – none of this would have been possible without you and your support.
To everyone who has left a review – thank you!
To anyone who took a chance on a new author and bought my book – thank you from the bottom of my heart! I adore Tate and Noelle, and I hope you feel the same. If you haven't bought it yet, but want to remedy that situation, the book is only $2.99. Click here for all your book-buying options. #shameless1
And because it is a marathon, I’m hard at work at meeting the next mile-marker. As soon as I have news to share, I’ll let you know. I can’t wait to start the craziness all over again. If you want to know when my next book comes out, scroll up and look to your left and sign up for my new release alert! #shameless2
Xoxo,
Jamie
P.S. Oh, oh! I almost forgot. My Kindle giveaway is still going on. Here are all the places you can enter if you haven’t already.
- Firebirds Blog
- Author Christina Jones' Blog
Today is the day I've dreamed of for years - the publication of my first novel, TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD! It probably comes as no surprise that I'm ecstatic!
Want to read the first chapter? Here ya go!
If you'd like to buy yourself a copy, here are some buy links:
Amazon · Amazon Canada · Amazon UK · Barnes & Noble · iBooks · Kobo · Google Play · All Romance · Books-A-Million
But wait! There's more!!
To celebrate, I'm giving away a Kindle! To enter the giveaway and learn more about TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD, please visit the stops on my mini-blog tour.
I'll activate the links as they go live.
Monday, August 11
- Firebirds Blog
- Author Roni Loren's Blog
Tuesday, August 12
- Author Kat Latham's Blog
Wednesday, August 13
- Author Christina Jones' Blog
Thursday, August 14
- Author Terri Osborn's Blog
Friday, August 15
- Just Contemporary Romance
Saturday, August 16
- Ramblings from This Chick
I'll also be doing giveaways at the Entangled: Lovestruck's Facebook party Wednesday night at 5:30 CST. Here's the link if you'd like to go! I hope to see you there!
Thank you for your support!
xoxo,
Jamie
Last week was awesome! I spent it at the Romance Writers of America annual conference. I love going because I get a chance to see friends I only see once per year and get to be with 2000 people who GET me! It's wonderful.
But there is always a downside to all the revelry. Prepare yourself to sign in sympathy. I love books, and they give them away for free at RWA, and I can't help myself , so I take them because I love books so much. And then I buy more books throughout the year (because, you know, I love books).
So yeah, I own a TON of books. Like a ridiculous amount of books. I know, I know. What a problem to have. I hear you sighing in sympathy through my computer.
But here's the deal. As much as I would love to, I can't read them all. I just don't have the time (which really, truly does bum me out. I would never, ever give my books away if I didn't know it was for the greater good). And it's really not practical to keep ALL the books I own, no matter how much I would prefer to.
*deep sigh* SOOO, I'm giving some away. And YOU could be the lucky recipient of the ENTIRE lot. I've gone through my collection (hyperventilating the whole way) and culled a few that I (think I) can part with.
What are they?
1. THE BEST MEDICINE by Tracy Brogan (signed by author)
2. FLIGHT RISK by Nicole Helm (signed by author)
3. THE REASON IS YOU by Sharla Lovelace (signed by author)
4. IT HAPPENED ONE WEDDING by Julie James (unsigned)
5. IMMORTAL CHAMPION by Lisa Hendrix (signed by author to me)
6. PRIVATE LESSONS by Donna Hill (unsigned)
7. TO TEMPT A WILDE by Kimberly Kaye Terry (unsigned)
8. TEMPTED BY THE HIGHLAND WARRIOR by Michelle Willingham (signed by author)
9. TAKING HIM by Jackie Ashenden (signed by author)
10. THE HOLIDAY INN by Phyllis Bourne, Farrah Rochon, and Stefanie Worth (signed by Phyllis and Farrah)
So what do you need to do in order to enter?
Leave a blog comment below telling me which book you're most looking forward to reading and fill out the Rafflecopter widget below to earn even more entries. Pretty easy, I think.
I'll announce the winner on the blog the day after the sweepstakes ends! Good luck!
Look, look what I got!
Ever since I signed my contract last year, this is what I've been looking forward to the most - the moment I got my cover.
Isn't it the cutest thing you've ever seen?! I freaking LOVE it (which, between you and me, is kind of a relief because I am the biggest cover snob ever).
I love how she's grabbing his shirt. I love his bulging bicep. It so closely mimics a scene in my book, I (almost) can't stand it! I love how the yellow pops. I never would have thought to use yellow, but it's perfect and I am now convinced that every book cover should use yellow.
Have I mentioned how much I love it?! I keep staring at it and grinning like a fool. What do you think?
Here's the blurb:
In a moment of restlessness, Tate Grayson sold his multimillion-dollar company and spun his love of sports into a radio talk show. Life, and love, is too short to take seriously—a fact he enjoys rubbing in uptight radio host Noelle Butler’s face.
After the death of her parents, a tragedy she blamed on herself, Noelle vowed to live a controlled, focused life. Now a psychologist, she channels her need for connection into her radio show. But when the arrogant sportscaster next door tells listeners men shouldn’t get married, she’s all too happy to yank the silver spoon out of his overprivileged mouth.
Their heated on-air arguments are a hit, but when the station director forces them to do a joint show for two weeks, Tate and Noelle object. They can’t stand each other, despite the attraction sizzling beneath every interaction. But if they can’t pull the struggling radio station back from the brink, they’ll lose their jobs. Or worse, their hearts.
TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD releases in August.
Hey all,
So the release of my first book, TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD, is getting nearer. Which is kind of awesome (and a little nauseating. People are going to read my book!). But anywho, I received the official back cover copy (or whatever it's called since this is an ebook, but whatever)!
So without further ado, here it is!
Two radio show hosts. One show. Who will come out on top?
In a moment of restlessness, Tate Grayson sold his multimillion-dollar company and spun his love of sports into a radio talk show. Life, and love, is too short to take seriously—a fact he enjoys rubbing in uptight radio host Noelle Butler’s face.
After the death of her parents, a tragedy she blamed on herself, Noelle vowed to live a controlled, focused life. Now a psychologist, she channels her need for connection into her radio show. But when the arrogant sportscaster next door tells listeners men shouldn’t get married, she’s all too happy to yank the silver spoon out of his overprivileged mouth.
Their heated on-air arguments are a hit, but when the station director forces them to do a joint show for two weeks, Tate and Noelle object. They can’t stand each other, despite the attraction sizzling beneath every interaction. But if they can’t pull the struggling radio station back from the brink, they’ll lose their jobs. Or worse, their hearts.
Woohoo!
But wait, there's more!
New York Times Bestselling author Shannon Stacey was kind enough to read my little book and offer a cover quote! She called it "a smart, sexy romance that will make you laugh and happy sigh."
I'm so thrilled. It's like she dug inside my brain to discover what I would like people to say about my books and said it. It's seriously perfect. I couldn't ask for more.
I really need August to get here ASAP!
P. S. Did you know I have a Facebook page? You should like it, you know if you want to. I rarely post on it, so I won't clutter your timeline. How's that for selling myself?
By Tkgd2007 (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
The first (adult) romance novel I read way back when was a Harlequin. It was the early 1990s and I knew others would frown on a kid reading romance, so I didn’t tell anyone. My mom knew because she was the one buying the books and taking me to the library, but other than her, it was just my thing I kept to myself.
Because of this, I didn’t know that some romance readers consider Harlequins to be “less than” than single-title romances. I only found this out once I joined the online romance community a few years ago. Apparently, some believe authors write for Harlequin because they can’t hack it at a “real” publisher. They are entitled to their opinion, of course, but I’ve never felt that way. Still don’t. Yes, I started reading single titles after I cut my teeth on Harlequins, but that was because I wanted a longer story and more time spent with the heroine and hero, not because they were/are “better,” whatever that word means.
How could I feel that way when I followed Nora Roberts from Silhouette (before it was bought by Harlequin – I think) to her single titles? I picked up one of her longer books because I recognized her name. Falling for Rachel and Luring a Lady are still two of my all-time favorite romances, category or single title.
I say all this because in 2009 when I decided to get serious about being published, my first thought was “I want to write for Harlequin.” And I pursued that dream. For two years, I chased one of the many Harlequin lines. That experience was unbelievably frustrating, not because I kept getting rejected, but because I couldn’t get an answer. Any answer.
In 2012, I was at the end of my rope. I didn’t know if my stories fit in at any other lines, but I was more than willing to find out. One day, I happened to be on the Harlequin community site and saw they were doing a contest for their Romance and Modern Tempted lines in which you submit a chapter and hear back within one month. At that time, Modern Tempted, based out of the UK, was published as Presents Extra in the USA. I’ve been reading those books forever, but I’d never thought about writing one because of that Presents moniker. Presents have a very specific tone that I couldn’t authentically write if my life depended on it. (Okay, maybe if my life depended on it, I could crank one out).
Anyway, reading the description of the Modern Tempted books in the contest announcement, I was like “Duh. That’s exactly the type of story I write.” Fun, flirty, modern. So I submitted a chapter. I got a request for a partial, and I was off. Over the course of two years, I waited a lot and did two rewrites of the story. Modern Tempted/Presents Extra spun off into its own line, KISS. Cool. Except the new line struggled.
Probably because launching a new print line in these publishing times, when shelf space is shrinking and digital is taking a bigger and bigger part of the pie, is hard. Maybe Harlequin had a hard time reaching their intended target audience. Maybe their current readers were set in their ways and weren’t interested in taking on a new line. Who knows?
What I do know is that a few weeks ago, I got the news that the KISS line was no more. And I was crushed. I know what I write, and I know it doesn’t fit other Harlequin lines.
Please understand my goal wasn’t only to be published by Harlequin. I am a firm believer in diversification. But being a Harlequin author was part of the puzzle of how I envisioned my career shaping up.
More importantly, it’s not the end of this story. I freaking love this story. It’s so good. And no, I’m not just saying that because I wrote it. Trust me, I am currently tearing my hair writing another manuscript and am under no illusions that it’s the best thing ever.
Anyway, I digress. The publishing landscape is a lot different than it was 10 years ago. Hell, 5 years ago. So this story will be published. I have options. One of those options is no longer Harlequin. And that makes me sad.
Over the weekend, I was reading Susan Andersen’s Some Like It Hot and the hero had two types of cereal in his cupboard - Froot Loops and Cap’n Crunch. He turned his nose up at the thought of oatmeal. Basically, he was a man after my own heart because everyone knows the only three cereals worth eating are Froot Loops, Cap’n Crunch, and Frosted Flakes.
Am I right or am I right?
Remember back in the day how you would come out of the store and there would be a chain letter on your car windshield? No? Just me? *clears throat* Anyway, authors have come up with a way better way to do chain letters. It's the chain blog post! Nicole Helm tagged me and now you get to read all about me! Don't you feel so lucky?
I am working on Caitlin’s story (that’s the name of the file on my computer) aka The Good Girl’s Naughty Christmas Wish. I’m not so sure about that title, so Caitlin’s story it is for now!
It’s the follow up to my debut, TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD. Caitlin is the BFF of TELL ME’s heroine, so of course she deserved her own story. It’s a fake engagement sports romance. Caitlin was very definitely a secondary character in TELL ME, so I’m having fun exploring who she is and where she came from. (Hint: crazy mom)
The first response that came to mind is “Hell if I know.” I write contemporary romance. I write the stories I want to read, but I’ve never thought about how I can make my stories soo different from everything else out there.
I don’t know if this makes my work different, but I love sports and pop culture, so at least one of those topics (probably both) will make its way into all of my books. I love funny, sexy, urban modern stories.
Ultimately, it all comes down to voice. That’s what readers respond to. I want my readers to laugh, to fan themselves because of the smoking hot chemistry between my characters, and to want to shake some sense into the characters at some point because they care about them so much.
Because it makes me happy. I love romance. I don’t need serial killers or shapeshifters to love the story (although it’s cool if they’re there). My enjoyment comes from watching two (or more) people falling in love despite themselves and all the craziness that’s going on in their lives.
Sigh. I’ve been working on Caitlin’s story for way too long because I was so unsure of the plot. I knew who the characters were before I had a plot, so I had to come up with a plot to fit them. NO BUENO. I eventually discarded my first plot idea because I wasn’t feeling it and thought it was a tad too close to TELL ME. Never will I work this way again.
USUALLY, my process involves getting a plot idea like “What if two radio talk show hosts who can’t stand each other are forced to do a show together?” Once I have a plot idea, it’s much easier for me to come up with characters that fit that plot. I knew they disliked each other, but why? I use Michael Hague’s Inner Conflict Arc to really get to know the characters and then I write.
I’m a pantser, but I have a loose idea of where the story is going. I write a first draft that is very dialogue-heavy and unfit for outside eyes. I do no editing during this phase. I just have to get the story out. If I know what’s going to happen a few scenes from now, I’ll either skip ahead to write it or at least jot down the basic idea so I don’t forget. One of my favorite scenes in TELL ME came to me a few chapters before it was time for that scene. I had to stop and write it right then. I had to. And it’s so good, if I do say so myself. :)
After the first draft is done, I make a list of all the scenes just to make sure there’s a real, actual story there. Lol. I (sometimes) use some spreadsheets Jami Gold has on her website that combine several authors’ plot structure processes to make sure.
Then it’s time to edit and edit and edit again. And I’ll read it one more time because the story is never done.
____
Now, I’m supposed to tag three authors to participate and post the questions and their answers to their blog next week (2/24), so Dawn Alexander, Sally Kilpatrick, and Piper Huguley you’re it!
Hey you,
Today, I'm at the Firebirds blog writing about how Olympians inspire me. I'd love it if you'd check it out!
I’m going to test out a new blog format. Quick hits on stuff. I often feel like there are things I could blog about, but don’t have enough to say to fill a whole post or I’m too lazy to do it. So I’m going to (try to) post this weekly.
What I’m reading
I decided that since it’s Black History Month, I would only read books by black authors. Why not? I have so many books in my to-be-read pile that any structure I can give to the pile, I’ll take.
I just finished reading Phyllis Bourne’s Sweeter Temptation. Very sweet. Adore a hero who adores the heroine.
I’m now reading Michele Grant’s Pretty Boy Problems. I read a few pages last night before sleep claimed me. I can already tell Beau is going to take me on quite the ride.
What I’m watching (or listening to)
The Olympics. I work in events and we’ve had four events in five days, which has severely limited the time I’ve had to watch. I’m sad, but not devastated, which makes me even sadder because I am an Olympics junkie. I’m not sure if it’s because it’s the Winter Olympics and not the Summer or because of all the issues in Sochi – corruption, anti-gay laws, and unpreparedness – or all of the above.
What I’m thinking about
Last night Michael Sam, future NFL player, announced he was gay. I’m so happy that he feels free to be who he is. But every time I see his name I giggle a little bit because as a wise person (who I don’t remember) once said, “Never trust somebody with two first names.” I don’t know why that makes me laugh, but it does.
I am annoyed that people keep saying him being in the locker room will be such a big distraction because of all the media attention. Seriously? Yeah, the media will be there for the first week or two, but after that, how many stories can they write about it?
They said the same thing about Manti Te’o and his imaginary girlfriend. Remember that? Yeah, barely. That story faded away because he was drafted, went to training camp and did what he does best – play football.
Michael Sam will do the same.
Speaking of Black History Month, when I was in elementary school, the area elementary schools had Quiz Bowl-type competitions about black history. Because I was the nerdiest of the nerds, I was selected to be on the team. They gave us packets to study – politics, sports, entertainment, science, you name it. I memorized it all. Who was the first to do this, when it was done, who invented what, etc. I was the black history queen. I wish they had made all the students study that stuff. Sure some of it was covered in history class, but not all or even most of it. I wonder if they still do that contest. And if you’re wondering, yeah, my school won. I was on the team. Nerd girls always prosper.
What I’m writing
After struggling for so long, I finally feel like I have a grasp on Caitlin and Brady’s story. It took dumping a plot that I was never really sure about (hence the struggles). I’m still not one hundred percent sure about the new course I’m taking, but I like that it’s different from anything I’ve ever done. I just have to pull it off and make sure the story stays interesting for 55,000-60,000 words.
![By Tkgd2007 (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ASad_panda.svg)
